Schellenberg’s lecture looks at mass incarceration through Paul’s lens

It is clear that the Apostle Paul was a prisoner when he wrote his letter to the Philippians, but it is not immediately apparent why. MTSO Assistant Professor of New Testament Ryan Schellenberg will explore the likely historical circumstances of Paul’s imprisonment in his lecture, “Reading Philippians in the Age of Mass Incarceration,” to be delivered at 7 p.m. May 7 in MTSO’s Alford Centrum, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware. The lecture, presented by the Theological Commons at MTSO, is free and open to the public.

In addition to discussing the circumstances of Paul’s imprisonment, Schellenberg will pose a more general question: What does it mean to read the prison letter to the Philippians cognizant of the over 2.2 million persons currently in jail or prison in the United States?

A member of the MTSO faculty since 2015, Schellenberg earned his Ph.D. from the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, his Master of Arts in New Testament at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, and his BA at Canadian Mennonite University.

Schellenberg’s research on Paul’s life and work has been widely published. His areas of expertise also include the social history of early Christianity, the books of Luke and Acts, and the parables of Jesus.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio provides theological education and leadership in pursuit of a just, sustainable and generative world. In addition to the Master of Divinity degree, the school offers master’s degrees in counseling, social justice, theological studies and practical theology, along with a Doctor of Ministry degree.

CONTACT:

Danny Russell, communications director
drussell@mtso.edu, 740-362-3322